- Former Nigeria coach Adeboye Onigbinde has urged new Super Eagles head coach Eric Chelle to manage the country's vast football talent properly
- Chelle faces a tough challenge as Nigeria currently sits fifth in their World Cup qualifying group, trailing Rwanda, South Africa, Benin, and Lesotho
- Onigbinde, who led Nigeria to the 1984 AFCON final, believes the country has the material to be among the world’s best
Former national team coach Chief Adeboye Onigbinde has urged newly appointed Nigeria head coach Eric Chelle to effectively manage the country's vast talent pool as he takes on the challenge of leading the Super Eagles.
Nigeria boasts some of the most respected footballers in the world, with stars like Alex Iwobi and Wilfred Ndidi shining in the English Premier League, while Victor Boniface and Gift Orban have been making waves in the Bundesliga.
Elsewhere, Chuba Akpom and Moses Simon ply their trade in France, while Samuel Chukwueze and Africa Player of the Year Ademola Lookman represent top Italian clubs.
Despite this abundance of quality, Nigeria’s 2026 FIFA World Cup qualification campaign has been disappointing. The Super Eagles currently sit fifth in Group C, trailing Rwanda, South Africa, Benin, and Lesotho. With only the group winners securing an automatic ticket to the tournament, Chelle has a mountain to climb.
A new era under Chelle
Following a period of managerial instability that saw Finidi George and Augustine Eguavoen briefly take charge, the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) appointed Eric Chelle, a former Mali coach, to restore stability and guide the Super Eagles to their first World Cup since 2018.
Chelle wasted no time in getting to work, meeting with key players across Europe, including Iwobi, Ndidi, and Simon, as he aims to build a cohesive and formidable squad.
Reports also suggest he is keen on integrating talents from the Nigeria Professional Football League (NPFL) to ensure a strong and well-balanced team.
Onigbinde’s advice to Chelle
Chief Adeboye Onigbinde, who famously led Nigeria to the 1984 Africa Cup of Nations final and guided Shooting Stars to the 1994 CAF Champions League final, believes Chelle has an array of top-quality players at his disposal. However, he warned that talent alone would not be enough to guarantee success.
Speaking on the current state of the Super Eagles, Onigbinde emphasised the need for effective squad management,
“It depends on how you look at it. If you are thinking of the quality possessed by Nigeria, what I can call natural talents, then there is no reason why Nigeria should not beat Rwanda,” Onigbinde stated.
“Not only Rwanda but other teams in our group. Nigeria has the materials to be one of the best in the world. But then, how do we manage some of these talents? I want the best for the Super Eagles at this point in time. Both the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations and qualifying for the 2026 World Cup should be our priorities,” he explained.
What’s next for Super Eagles?
With high expectations from fans and the weight of history on his shoulders, Chelle must find a way to transform Nigeria’s immense potential into results on the pitch. The coming months will be crucial, as he prepares to lead the team into a defining period for Nigerian football.
NFF sympathises with board vice president after encounter with armed robbers
Previously, TheRadar reported that Felix Anyansi-Agwu, the first vice president of the Nigerian Football Federation (NFF) and a revered figure in Nigerian football, was recovering after a terrifying armed robbery at his residence in Gwarinpa Estate, Abuja.
The NFF, led by President Ibrahim Gusau, had rallied around Anyansi-Agwu in the aftermath of the incident. Gusau, accompanied by NFF General Secretary Mohammed Sanusi, visited the family to show support and offer prayers for a swift recovery.
